Plug capture device

ABSTRACT

A device comprising an elongated body having at least one aperture through the body, said aperture silhouetting a barrel bushing for a model 1911 handgun by being shaped in substantially the same shape as a barrel bushing, but slightly larger so it fits snugly and allows the device to operate as a bushing wrench. The aperture may have a longer dimension, said longer dimension substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis of the body so that the aperture is operable to mate with and operate a barrel bushing. Certain embodiments may include additional openings that silhouette barrel bushings for the same or other firearms.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to tools for maintenance and repair of firearms, and more particularly to a tool for the safe removal of recoil plugs from handguns.

Certain automatic and semiautomatic firearms such as the Model 1911 handgun include a plug which in turn holds a spring that returns the slide action to position during the recoil phase of firing. The spring is under high tension and may eject the plug inadvertently during disassembly or assembly. This can lead to injuries during disassemble for maintenance of the weapon.

Accordingly there is a need to a better device to assist in the maintenance of certain firearms.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a device comprising an elongated body having at least one aperture through the body, said aperture silhouetting a barrel bushing for a model 1911 handgun by being shaped in substantially the same shape as a barrel bushing, but slightly larger to allow it to fit snugly and allow the device to operate as a bushing wrench. The aperture may have a longer dimension, said longer dimension substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis of the body so that the aperture is operable to mate with and operate a barrel bushing. Certain embodiments may include additional openings that silhouette barrel bushings for the same or other firearms.

In operation the device covers the barrel plug of a model 1911 and allows a user to exert a force on the barrel plug. Once the plug is depressed, the device may be used to turn a barrel bushing and release the plug and the spring that the plug holds in place. The device is designed with a barrel silhouette perpendicular to the elongated body so that, while turning the device, the barrel plug will not be ejected.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front and profile image of a model 1911 handgun including a partial break-away view.

FIG. 2 shows a plug capture device.

FIG. 3 shows a plug capture device in operation.

DESCRIPTION Generality of Invention

This application should be read in the most general possible form. This includes, without limitation, the following:

References to specific techniques include alternative and more general techniques, especially when discussing aspects of the invention, or how the invention might be made or used.

References to “preferred” techniques generally mean that the inventor contemplates using those techniques, and thinks they are best for the intended application. This does not exclude other techniques for the invention, and does not mean that those techniques are necessarily essential or would be preferred in all circumstances.

References to contemplated causes and effects for some implementations do not preclude other causes or effects that might occur in other implementations.

References to reasons for using particular techniques do not preclude other reasons or techniques, even if completely contrary, where circumstances would indicate that the stated reasons or techniques are not as applicable.

Furthermore, the invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Many other variations are possible which remain within the content, scope and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application.

Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Read this application with the following terms and phrases in their most general form. The general meaning of each of these terms or phrases is illustrative, not in any way limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a front and profile image of a model 1911 handgun 100 including a partial break-away view. The model 1911 handgun is shown by way of example only and this disclosure should not in any way be limited to the model 1911. The model 1911 includes a muzzle 110 and a pistol slide 112. A plug 114 is held in place by a bushing 116. The plug 114 and bushing 116 combine secure a spring 118 into the barrel of the piston. Different versions of the model 1911 are made using different shaped bushings.

Conventionally, when the bushing is removed, the plug 114, propelled by the recoil spring 118 is ejected from the barrel. Depending on the force on the spring 118, this ejection may be very rapid and include sufficient energy to cause harm to a person.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Parts of the description are presented using terminology commonly employed by those of ordinary skill in the art to convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 2 shows a plug capture device 200. The plug capture device has an elongated body along an axis and includes a bushing silhouette 210 formed to fit snugly over a bushing. The bushing silhouettes are openings in the elongated body which are formed to fit snugly over the barrel bushing of a particular firearm. Certain embodiments may include additional silhouettes 212 shaped to snugly fit other types of bushings. The plug capture device 200 has the openings formed to cover the plug 214 on the barrel. The plug capture device may also be formed with one or more indentations 216 to allow for easy gripping the device 200 during operation. The plug capture device 200 has an elongated body with the opening disposed through the body to allow for wrenching (or turning) the bushing and at the same time keeping the device 200 against the plug 214 to prevent its ejection. Accordingly the device 200 is large enough to cover the plug 214 and maintain it in position from the initial process of fitting the device 200 on the bushing, through the entire turning of the bushing. Moreover once the bushing is turned, the device 200 has sufficient girth to maintain the plug in position until a user removes the device 200.

One having skill in the art will recognize that the device 200 may be formed from any suitable material capable of handling the stress of turning a bushing and maintaining a plug in position. This may be metal, plastic or other suitable material. Moreover the silhouettes in the device 200 may be created to match any desirable bushing.

One having skill in the art will appreciate that the silhouettes in the device 200 are formed to allow for providing torque on a bushing. Accordingly a circular opening would be inefficient as lacking any surfaces with which to grasp a bushing. The openings are asymmetrical and have one dimension relatively elongated as compared to the second dimension a. As shown in FIG. 2 the elongated dimension is substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis of the device 200.

FIG. 3 shows a plug capture device in operation 300. In FIG. 3A a plug capture device 300 has been placed over a bushing such that a silhouette 310 fits snugly over the bushing and the device 300 has been turned 90 degrees (note arrow). FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the same plug capture device. In operation depressing the plug 312 while rotating the device 300 unlocks the bushing and allows for rotation of the bushing. The process of turning loosens the bushing and consequently the plug 213 that is held in place by the bushing. FIG. 3 illustrates a significant improvement over conventional barrel bushing tools because in the present disclosure the silhouettes are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the device 300. This allows for complete coverage of the plug 312 through the full arc of rotation of the device 300 without needing to expand the surface area of the device as compared to conventional bushing wrenches.

The above illustration provides many different embodiments or embodiments for implementing different features of the invention. Specific embodiments of components and processes are described to help clarify the invention. These are, of course, merely embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention from that described in the claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: an elongated body having at least one aperture through the body, said aperture silhouetting a barrel bushing, said aperture having a longer dimension, said longer dimension substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis of the body; wherein the aperture is operable to mate with and operate a barrel bushing.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the barrel bushing is for a model 1911 pistol.
 3. The device of claim 1 further wherein the elongated body includes a plurality of indentations.
 4. The device of claim 1 further including a second aperture, said second aperture silhouetting barrel bushing.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the second aperture has a longer dimension, said longer dimension substantially perpendicular to the axis of the elongated body.
 6. The device of claim 4 wherein the aperture and the second aperture have a different shape. 